Clarke backs Nielsen for taking a break

Melbourne:

Australian stand-in skipper Michael Clarke has backed coach Tim Nielsen taking a break after the first four one-dayers in the ongoing seven-match series against England.

A tired Tim Nielsen will return home, leaving his deputy Troy Cooley to coach the side in the final three one-dayers, before rejoining the team in South Africa on September 22 as Australia prepares to defend its ICC Champions Trophy title.

"He's been away from home for a long time. Like the players, we get the opportunity to have a break every now and then, I think it's just as important for our support staff," Clarke said.

"There's going to be various times throughout everybody's career that they need a bit of time away from the game," he was quoted as saying by 'Herald Sun'.

Nielsen, nicknamed Vinny, has been with the Australian team since last September in the various international series, including the Twenty20 World Cup and Ashes Series and he will spend time with his family in Adelaide during the break.

"He's looking forward to spending a week at home.

"The players have the upmost respect for the coach and within the team we know we can continue to perform when 'Vinny's' gone, but he's a huge part of our team and giving him what's probably going to be a week off, I think it's the least we can do," Clarke said.